Many questions were submitted during the recent candidate forum for Chair of the Jones County Board of Education that were not able to be addressed due to time constraints. The candidates' written answers are below.
Ginger Bailey, incumbent
How publicized is the superintendent hiring process?
The Superintendent and all other employees are publicized the same way. All internal employees are notified, and a statewide search is conducted.
What is the final determining factor for hire?
There are many different areas that are looked at educational degrees, experience in the field that is being applied for, and how this person will improve the education of our children. We are looking for highly qualified people in the area they are applying for.
Do you believe that all history should be taught in school? Some people feel that there is an attempt to dilute the history in our country and state.
Yes, I believe that we need the true history taught to our children.
Within the addition of two new administrators in the board office, does the school system plan to increase payrates for teachers so salaries are comparable?
Certified educators are paid by the State. They are on a step-scale that allows increases in salary. They get pay increases when the Governor puts it in the State budget. They also get a local stipend that comes out of the local budget.
Who revises school system policies and procedures? Will you allow parents to have access to these revisions?
It is the Superintendent's responsibility to keep the Board of Education informed of policy changes or renewals. When laws change, policies change and when policies change procedures must change. When a policy changes the Superintendent brings the renewed policy to the board for review. The new policy is tabled for 30 days for the public and the board to review. During this time changes can be made to the policy. After 30 days the new policy will be voted on by the Board and if passed takes the place of the previous policy.
Do you plan to review outdated policies and procedures?
We have a team of attorneys at Georgia School Board that check our policies to ensure that our policies and procedures reflect the current laws.
Are there monitors in the hallways of our schools?
I visit schools and I see teachers monitoring students outside bathrooms and they stand at classroom doors when changing classes. Supervision is a safety issue and must be enforced.
Will you engage with the community at board meetings?
GA. Law O.C.G.A. §20-2-58 states the board will not respond to comments made by a speaker during public comments unless a board member asks a question.
How can we have an ear if we can’t have any direct communication?
Direct communication is the best way to let us know your concerns. There is a chain of command that by law we must follow. Your first contact is the school Principal then the Superintendent who is the CEO of the school district. Next is your board representative or the chairman.
Have we reached out to churches that are diverse so students of all backgrounds can see representation?
Good question but I believe it was answered during the forum.
What are the goals and plans for promoting diversity within our school system? Currently we have two elementary schools that have not had a minority, specifically African American teacher for over four years.
The Board of Education does not hire employees. That is the job of the Superintendent and the Human Resource Department. The applicant is interviewed by a panel of teachers and administrators from different schools. They turn over the highest qualified individuals to the Superintendent who makes the final decision. Then the Superintendent makes a recommendation to the Board of Education of the final candidate selected in executive session. During the executive session the board members can ask questions about the selected person. If the board agrees with the person selected the board votes on the Superintendent’s recommendation in open session.
Do you think bullying and gang activity monitoring should start in elementary schools if not kindergarten?
YES, our monitoring is K-12
Do you think full-time resource officers and metal detectors should be in every school, including elementary school?
Yes, we have officers and metal detectors available at every school.
What will be done to ensure or encourage more minority students’ participation in the gifted programs? There have been a lot of smart and highly motivated minority students who have not been selected or given a chance to participate in the program. In my years of teaching there have been many students of all races in the gifted program. If a parent thinks their child is gifted, they can request that they be tested.
What can be done to advocate for changing laws that are not the best for education?
In January the state legislature meets for 40 days. Bills are created by your representatives from the House and Senate. The best way to advocate is to contact your representatives by letter to share your concerns. You can get on a list through Capital Watch at GSBA and get a daily report of what is happening each day. Then hold your representatives accountable for their vote. I send out this report to 800 employees each day. It is important for them to know laws affect the way they do their jobs.
What was the circumstances surrounding employees receiving their full salary after breaking their contract?
That is a Superintendent’s call.
Do you consider holding Board of Education interviews at a local church a conflict between church and state?
Churches are public buildings and are used in many different ways. Many Boards go out of town to do their interviews and it cost their taxpayer room and board. This Board believes in saving taxpayer money to use for our children’s Education.
Marilyn Norfleet, challenger
How publicized is the superintendent hiring process?
In my observation, the hiring process has not been well publicized. That needs to change. If elected, I will push for all job postings to be widely advertised — on the school system's website, through local media, and within the community — so that every qualified candidate has a fair and equal opportunity to apply. Transparency in hiring starts with making sure people know the positions exist.
What is the final determining factor for hire?
It should always come down to qualifications, experience, and the ability to serve our students — nothing else. Hiring must be merit-based and free from favoritism or nepotism.
Do you believe that all history should be taught in school?
Absolutely. Our students deserve a complete and honest education. All history — including the contributions and struggles of every nationality — should be taught. We do our children a disservice when we omit important struggles in history.
With new administrators added, will teacher pay increase?
Teachers are the backbone of our schools. If we can fund new administrative positions, we must also prioritize competitive pay for the teachers in our classrooms every day. I will advocate for equity pay.
Who revises policies and will parents have access?
Parents should absolutely have access to policy and procedure revisions. These are public documents affecting their children. I will support making revisions available to the public and giving parents a chance to provide input.
Do you plan to review outdated policies?
Yes. Outdated policies create confusion and hinder progress. I will support a thorough review to ensure our policies reflect current best practices and the needs of our students.
Are there monitors in the hallways?
Student safety is a top priority. If elected, I will immediately research options to ensure our schools have adequate hallway monitoring — through personnel, cameras, or both.
Will you engage with the community at board meetings?
That is not just a plan — it is a promise. Board meetings should welcome and value community voices. It is my desire to engage directly with parents, teachers, and residents at every meeting.
How can we have a voice without direct communication?
The parents, students and the community should never feel left-out due to lack of communication. I plan to have an open-door policy and establish clear communication channels, community forums, and accessible contact information. Everyone’s voice matters, and I will ensure everyone is heard during my term.
Have we reached out to diverse churches?
With over 30 years in faith-based ministry, I know how vital all churches are in a small community. We should partner with churches of all backgrounds, so every child feels represented and valued. I am not sure if the BOE has reached out to diverse churches in the community."
What are your plans for promoting diversity?
I will advocate for intentional recruitment, partnerships with diverse colleges of education, and a hiring culture that values representation.
Should bullying and gang monitoring start in elementary school?
Yes! Prevention starts early. We need age-appropriate programs teaching conflict resolution and respect in early childhood. If we wait, we are already behind in preventing bullying and gang activity.
Should resource officers and metal detectors be in every school?
The safety of our children is non-negotiable. I support full-time resource officers in every school, including pre-k and elementary schools. As an extra precaution, I am open to metal detectors. No parents should wonder if his or her child is safe.
How can more minority students participate in gifted programs?
As a former math instructor, I know firsthand that giftedness does not have a color. I will push for equitable screening, better teacher training on identifying giftedness, and the removal of barriers that keep qualified students out. The screening process should be equitable for all students of different backgrounds.
What can be done about laws that don't serve education well?
Board members must advocate beyond the local level. I will work with the Georgia School Boards Association and state legislators to push for laws that truly serve our students and speak up when they do not benefit our children.
Can superintendent candidates be introduced to the community first?
I strongly believe the community deserves a voice in that decision. Narrowing it to three finalists with public forums will give our community the transparency and involvement they deserve. Since the superintendent is a nonpartisan position, all parents, students and the community should be involved in the process.
What about employees receiving full salary after breaking their contract?
I will work to ensure contract policies are enforced fairly and consistently, and that the community understands how these decisions are made. Accountability applies to everyone.
18. Is holding board interviews at a church a conflict?
We must be mindful of the separation of church and state. I recommend that official board business be conducted in public or government-owned facilities to avoid any perception of a conflict.
Could you provide a specific instance of a lack of transparency?
Yes. The hiring of the new superintendent is a clear example. The process should have been narrowed down to three finalists — not one sole finalist. Those three finalists should have been presented to the public in a forum so the community could hear their vision, ask questions, and have a voice in the decision. That is the type of transparency our community deserves, and that is the standard I will uphold if elected.
